Old Trafford legend retired with a title after 26 years but hand-picked successor Moyes lasted 10 months and new boss Van Gaal is still winless this season

Gunner by a threat: Wenger expects United to challenge again like they did under Ferguson

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Arsene Wenger has become an unlikely ally to an old adversary after he absolved Sir Alex Ferguson of any blame for Manchester United’s dramatic decline.

United picked up just one point from their first two Premier League matches and were humiliated 4-0 by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup in midweek.

They were also absent from the Champions League draw after failing to finish in the top four under the ill-fated regime of David Moyes.

Now Dutchman Louis van Gaal has taken over but even he has struggled to fill the void left by Sir Alex who was at Old Trafford for a quarter of a century.

But Wenger – whose frosty relationship with Sir Alex thawed eventually – said: ”If things have not gone well at the start, it is not Ferguson’s fault.

“The world is competitive and it is a bit cyclical. Once you leave a club, you hope it goes as well as possible. That is what Ferguson wanted as well. Manchester United have just started the season and it will come back.

“If you look at the names they have, they will be a force in the Premier League. But I don’t worry too much about them, They made us suffer enough in the past!”

Wenger is monitoring the transfer market and may yet move before the close of the window at 11pm on Monday night.

But player who will NOT be leaving Arsenal is Costa Rica international Joel Campbell. Wenger has been bombarded with requests to take Campbell on loan.

“I have had many inquiries,” he said. “But I have turned them all down. When I say no, it is no. He is definitely staying.”